Winter Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District
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Fort Pickering Light
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Salem, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000335 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1994 |
Winter Island is a small piece of land connected to Salem Neck in Salem, Massachusetts. It's about 45 acres (18 hectares) in size. A causeway links it to the mainland.
The island is surrounded by water on most sides. You'll find Smith Pool to the northwest and Cat Cove to the west. To the south and east is the Salem Channel, and Juniper Cove is to the north.
Winter Island has a few homes at its northern end. There's also one main road, Winter Island Road. The Plummer Youth Promise, a home for young people, is located on 18 acres (7.3 hectares) of land on the northeast shore. Most of the island is known as Winter Island Marine Park.
In 1994, the entire island was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical and archaeological site. It's officially called the Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District.
Fun Things to Do at Winter Island
Winter Island Marine Park is a great place for outdoor activities. It used to be the home of the Coast Guard Air Station Salem. This was a place where the Coast Guard kept planes that could land on water.
Today, the park is open to everyone. It covers the southern part of the island. Some of the main attractions include the historic Fort Pickering and the Fort Pickering Lighthouse. You can also enjoy views of Salem Harbor. The park has a ramp for launching boats. You can also see the old Coast Guard seaplane hangar and barracks buildings. Fort Pickering itself is so important that it's listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
Winter Island's Past
Winter Island has a long and interesting history. People have used the island since Salem was first settled in the 1620s. Early settlers used it to dry fish and build ships.
By the mid-1600s, Salem was becoming an important port for trade. Winter Island was seen as a key spot to defend the city. Fort Pickering was first built there in 1643. It was rebuilt several times, including during Queen Anne's War and the American Revolutionary War. The fort continued to be used for defense through the American Civil War.
A famous sailing ship, the USS Essex, was built on the island in 1799. It was built at one of Enos Briggs' shipyards. The Fort Pickering Lighthouse was built in 1871 to help guide ships.
Over time, the military use of the island changed. It became a Coast Guard air station. Eventually, this use also stopped in the 20th century. The island was then given to the city of Salem, which created Winter Island Marine Park for everyone to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Winter (Estados Unidos) para niños
